Routine cervical dilatation during elective cesarean section and its influence on maternal morbidity: a randomized controlled study.

AIM: To determine the effect of routine intraoperative cervical dilatation during elective cesarean section on maternal morbidity.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with even numbers in the operative elective cesarean section list were included in the study. Of these, every second patient underwent intraoperative cervical dilatation. All participants in the two groups had otherwise similar preoperative care, operative procedures and subsequent clinical care. Blood loss was estimated and maternal infection status was assessed postoperatively by any rise of temperature or wound infection.

RESULTS: Of the 131 patients included in the study, 67 underwent cervical dilation and 64 served as controls. There was no significant difference in postoperative hemoglobin, incidence of fever, or wound infection between the two groups. Only two of the cervical dilation group and one control patient developed postoperative fever. A hemoglobin drop of more than 0.5 g/dL was noted in 27 and 26 patients in the cervical dilation and the no dilation groups, respectively (NS). None of the study patients had signs of wound infection.

CONCLUSION: Intraoperative cervical dilatation during elective cesarean section did not reduce the risk of postoperative maternal fever, wound infection or change in hemoglobin concentration.